Annelida By: Jessica Livingstone, Mark McPhee, Raouf Fellah, Melissa Merks

Introduction Kingdom Animalia Superphylum Lophtrochozoa Phylum Annelida

Introduction How many? About types found all over the world What are they? Class Polychaeta (marine worms) Live in tubes or permanent burrows. Active swimmers, crawlers or burrowers. Class Oligochaeta (earthworms) Live underground in moist soil. Aerate and enrich soil. Class Hirundinea (leeches) Live in freshwater. Used medicinally: remove excess blood after surgery, keep blood from clotting.

Introduction Significance to ecosystem? Earthworms expand pharynx to ingest soil. Soil is then excreted as feces (scientifically known as humus which contains important nutrients).

Characteristics Coelom

Characteristics Body Wall

Characteristics Parapodia

Characteristics Nervous System

Characteristics Sense Organ

Characteristics Circulation and respiratory structures

Life Cycle& Reproduction Fertilization Egg Cocoon Hatchling Adult

Evolution Ancestor: Flat Worm Polychaetes Oligochaetes Sea and Terrestrial Soil

Habitat Wide range of physiological tolerances Soil Sea/Oceans

Interesting Facts A preserved specimen of Eunice (Eunicidae) at the Museum of Natural History in Washington D. C. is close to 3 m in length and around 5 cm in diameter in its preserved and contracted condition. The largest leech in the world, found in South America and reaches more than 40 cm in length.

Sources and-paleontology and-paleontology habitats/ habitats/